Chutes and Ladders

Have you ever stopped to think about how life is like a game of Chutes and Ladders?   The analogy is actually quite apt if you pause to think about it. 



When we start our adventure through life we are at square one. We roll the dice as we go along hoping for the good fortune of a ladder to help bypass some nasty life moments. Beware though if we become too cocky, we might be faced with a set back, or chute moving us backwards.  The adventure of life comes with rules, hazards and a wide range of possibilities if we dare to hope and take a chance. 



As a chronic pain patient I’m well versed in the game rules and possibilities. The wait to see a variety of specialists, hours of research into new processes or procedures, and of course, the roll of the dice when faced with a new miracle drug or treatment.  We roll the dice and hope for the best, praying at the same time not to have your hopes dashed forcing you to slide down.  

My life has been full of love, hope and pain but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I love the challenge of trying to move forward with each decision I make. I think that the beauty of those moments, when my decisions have made me or those close to me smile, far outweigh the tears I’ve shed worrying about what big mistake I may have just made. 

Those that have been following along on my blog are aware that I recently took a new position.  Not just any position, but something entirely new to me, sales. It is the polar opposite to sitting behind a desk doing income taxes, balancing budgets and writing reports. 

I feel like I have made it part way through my game of Chutes and Ladders and after being hit with several slides I have taken on the next challenge, upped the ante so to speak. 

This new challenge has opened up doors and sparked a creativity within myself that I thought I had lost. I forced myself to begin to learn new things and meet new people. Instead of sitting behind a desk, I am in a local shopping mall talking to strangers, selling beautiful jewellery and people watching.  I feel myself moving along the game board again and it feels great!

With my new position comes the freedom to write, walk and explore this beautiful island on my down time.  For that I’m grateful.  



I choose to enjoy the moments instead of bracing for the next ride down the chute and it makes me smile!